The midland journal., 1887-06-17

AT the opening OF the civil war, Aleyan-
dria was in possession of the Confederate;
but on the Oath of May. 1861, it was en-
tered by Union forces under Col. Ellsworth
who was shot while hauling down Con-
federate flag.
Christ Church, where Washington wor-
SHIPPED, and where also, is shown the pew
occupied by the Confederate chieftain, Rob-
ert E. Lee. is the place of greatest interest
to strangers, uext to which is the ancient
cemetery.
Alexandria has this year taken new
lease of life, and new era of prosperity
has set in with the establishment Of her
iron ship building yard, where a first class
iron steamer is now undergoing construct
ion.
Eight miles below Alexandria, is Mount
Vernon, the home and burial place of Geo.
Washington. At the time of his deeease,
the estate comprised several thousand acres.
The mansion is beautifully situated on
swelling height, crowned with trees, and
commanding fine view up and down the
river. The library and Washington's bed
room remain as they were at the time of
his death, and contain many articles of
great interest.
The other rooms have been furnished, as
nearly as possible, to conform to the period
in which he lived; and number of states
have assumed the care of a room each, pro.
ducing the furniture and decorations from
among their older families, thus serving the
double purpose of perpetuation of State as
we'll as National souvenirs of the olden
time.
In 1858, the mansion and 200 acres of
lam were bought by the Ladies' Mt. Ver-
| nor Associa. ion, vino hold it in perpetuity
as place of public resort and pilgrimage.
Jay Gould, for the first time in his busy
life found an opportunity last week, to visit
the tomb of the Father of his Country.
His magnificent yacht Atalanta was an
chored just off Mount Vernon, when his
party bethought them Of a visit to this city
and leaving the yacht at Giesboro Point,
below the Arsenal wharf, they steamed up
here in two of the smartest little steam
launches ever seen in these waters, and
employed an afternoon in driving about
the city and surrounding country.
Seventy miles from Washington, is Col
onial Beach, a noted salt water bathing
| place. This beach has long borne the rame
of the "C' assic Shore" because three miles
back in the county of Westmoreland, was
Washington's birthplace; ruins of the
old house still remain, and measures have
been taken to place monument on the
site.
Before reaching Mount Vernon, on sail
down the river, Forts Foote and Washing
ton are passed on the Maryland side. and
almost opposite to it, is Marshall Hall the
old homestead of branch of the family of
the Chief Justice; it now affords glimpse
to modern eyes, of the mode in which the
well-to-do farmer or plantation owner lived
in by-gone days. The place is, wonderful
ly preserved, and admirably kept as an ex.
cursion ground.
River View a comparatively new resort;
Glymot; Piney Point; Lower Cedar Point;
Chapel Point: Colton's and Blackstone
Island are the names of the charming
places on both sides of the river, sought by
thousands in this locality, for relief from
the summers heat.
Salt water begins about 40 miles below
the city, but the real salt water air is
not reached until within some 90 miles
distance.
The Potomac River from its source in
the Alleghenies to it mouth at the Chesa-
peake Bay, is 400 miles long. For nearly
half that distance, in passing through tine
mountain region north of this city. it is
comparatively a narrow stream; but when
it reaches Alexandria. as have said, it
widens out TO mile and half. In its
course to the sea, it gradually expands, un-
til, at its mouth it forms broad estuary,
seven and half miles wide. This repre-
sents the width of the river from Point
Loosout to Smiths Point, where it empt-
les into the Chesapeake Bay.